How To Die in Three Easy Steps

The Right is Right - We're talking about the roads of course - not politiks

Now for clarity for all my international followers - LOL - I'm talking about riding in America. Places like England have different rules/laws, so know your local rules of the road. With that legal disclaimer in place, let's keep going <I hope you read that super fast like they do the legal gobbly-gook on television> 

I saw a near miss yesterday recently that scared me more than a little bit. A person was riding a bicycle AGAINST Traffic and in the LEFT-hand lane…and in a curve just past the stop-light in an area with limited sight lines. 

Unfortunately, there was a car coming and there was damn near a head-on between the car and the bicycle. The person on the bicycle would have likely died in this case. 

Wanna watch?  Then click right here.  Yes, there's no sound. Mostly because I muted the video because I didn't want you to hear me yelling Whoa, Whoa, Whoa #*)*%7$#$%^.!!!

As a person driving – it’s okay to come to complete stop in that situation, move right, or even change lanes.

As a reminder, a person on a bicycle is legally required to ride WITH traffic – not against traffic. In Maryland, a person riding a bicycle shall ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable and safe, except when:
• Making or attempting to make a left turn;
• Operating on a one-way street;
• Passing a stopped or slower moving vehicle;
• Avoiding pedestrians or road hazards;
• The right lane is a right turn only lane; or
• Operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane (TR § 21-1205)

So, tell your friends that bike to ride WITH traffic not against and tell your friends that drive it's okay to change lanes, move away from the bike or even stop.

Ohhhh and if you're sitting there in Maryland, thinking just ride on the sidewalk and no problem.  That's cute.  In Maryland, you're not allowed to ride on the sidewalk unless permissible by local ordinance. Most localities don't allow you to ride on the sidewalks. 

Until next time, Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine 

Bike Vacations and Group Rides

I was on a Bike Vacation with my Local Bike Shop (LBS) (Crofton Bike Doctor) recently.  If you haven't taken a Bike Vacation, you need try it out.

My LBS trip was to Tucson, Arizona and we enjoyed some excellent weather, excellent riding and best of all I got to ride with new people. Starting a trip with strangers and ending it with friends is the best - especially when your expanding your biking network. Most excellent.

We had five rides scheduled over five days - nothing too crazy, but more than some folks get to ride in a normal week. Now there is a difference between enjoying a ride and enduring a ride - so make sure you condition yourself prior to your bike trip.  Look at the area you're going to be riding and get a sense of the routes you'll be riding (distance, climbing, temperature, etc).

While you can't do a lot of conditioning for temperature - you can do a lot for getting ready for the distances and climbing you'll enjoy on your trip. Heck, you can even get your butt ready for the trip by getting more rides in over consecutive days - A Happy Butt Makes For A Happy Rider,

Now if group rides and pace lines are intimidating to you - that's okay.  Most people that ride bikes want to share what they love and nothing is better than being in a pace line and sharing knowledge, chatting about stuff and making fun of ugly socks.

If you don't have the time or money for a Bike Vacation or if you're not sure a group riding is for you, but really want to try out some new routes and this group riding thing - then check out the shop rides your LBS has. The other great resource are local riding groups. They're always friendly to newcomers. Two Anne Arundel County groups that have regular rides of varying distances and paces are the Annapolis Bike Club and the Severna Park Peloton.

If your Local Bike Shop offers Bike Trips - even if it's a day trip - you should really take a chance and try it out. You'll get to ride in new places, ride with new people, and most important get to ride your bike!

Oh, and don't hesitate to drop into a Local Bike Shop when you're out and about.  I was geographically challenged and ready to bonk last summer when I stopped into The Cycle Mill over in Ellicott City last summer. They got me hydrated, gave me directions and made me feel really welcome before I went on my way.

In closing, thanks to Ernest, Aaron, and Mike of Crofton Bike Doctor putting on an awesome trip and ensuring we all had a good time. 

P.S. Show Your Local Advocacy Organization Some Love.  They're working hard to make things better for all riders and can always use some help. So if you're in Anne Arundel County check out Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (BikeAAA) - They're even on Facebook.

P.P.S.  Small Business Saturday is next weekend - show your Local Bike Shop some love! 

Light Up Your Whip!

Ensure you light up your whip like the freaking sun or a low-flying UFO from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

I've been tracking bicycle related fatalities for two years now. Mostly because I got real curious about it in the summer of 2016 when there was what I perceived to be a spike in bicycle-related deaths in Maryland.

I track these fatalities through media reporting - which can be a little difficult at times, but it provides us, the cycling community, some feedback on what's happening on the roads in a fairly timely basis. Government reporting can be a year or two behind and then you just get the statistics.

I was looking for some information about the two people killed over in Dewey last week and stumbled upon this incident right here in Maryland.

Mr. Frederick Cherry was riding a bicycle west on East Cedar Street and attempted to cross Route 13 in Fruitland. A person was driving a truck north-bound on Route 13.  The two collided as Mr. Cherry attempted to cross the intersection.

The death of Mr. Frederick Cherry brings us (Maryland) to 12 people on bikes killed this year on Maryland Roadways. It’s important to note that 10 of the 12 people killed this year….were killed at night.

Ensure you light up your whip like the freaking sun or a low-flying UFO from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

(Read: Year / # Deaths)
2010 8
2011 5
2012 5
2013 7
2014 6
2015 10
2016 16
2017 12

2017 Fatalities (Read: Date / Name / Age / Area)
13-Jan-17 / William C. Bosley / 70 / Hagerstown
24-Jan-17 / Brian E. Argy / 58 / Frederick
27-Jan-17 / Jamal Quentin Anderson / 14 / Randallstown
17-Feb-17 / George Ernest McNab / 59 / Waldorf
26-Apr-17 / Mariah Johnson / 17 / Hagerstown
17-May-17 / Thomas Randolph / 26 / Rockville
19-Jun-17 / Aaron Michael Laciny / 20 / Towson
04-Jul-17 / Jeremy Pope / 25 / Linthicum
21-Jul-17 / Harrison Thomas Earls / 20 / Taneytown
1-Sep-17 / Veronika Badurova / 21 / Ocean City
6-Sep-17 / Loreto Andal Canubas / 74 / Wheaton
28-Aug-17 / Frederick Cherry / 58 / Fruitland

Source: http://www.wmdt.com/news/maryland/update-bicyclist-dead-after-vehicle-crash-in-fruitland/613937080

Bootyville is Partyville and Nest is Best

Bootyville is Partyville 😊    Now it’s 24 Nest is Best!

24 Hours of Booty grew up this year and became the 24 Foundation – seems some business executives don’t like to write a check out for Booty.  Ummm, explain that one to the IRS <giggles>

Which means that 24 Hours of Booty is now the 24 Foundation and Bootyville is now the “24 Nest”  Man, adulting bites ☹ 

What does that mean for the folks that live in 24 Nest for one weekend a year?  Well, other than the name change not much.  Turns out everything that was great about Bootyville is just the same in the 24 Nest.

 24 Foundation Baltimore and the 24 Nest is designed for a “FAMILY” atmosphere.  When you arrive you’ll see lots of tents, canopies, lots of kids, people riding all sorts of bicycles and unicycles, blowup slide and obstacle course, and a tent for DJ and live music. 

When you check out the course, you’ll find you’re being cheered on by supporters that were positioned around the 2 mile lap.  The loudest group of course was close the finish line and they did an amazing job giving everyone applause and screams for every lap.


If you’re into bikes – there’s everything under the sun there – road bikes, mountain bikes, commuters, folding bikes, trikes, recumbents, fat bikes, skinny bikes…bikes, bikes, bikes! BIKES!

This year the venue moved from Columbia to Baltimore – specifically to the Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus.  The 24 Foundation and Johns Hopkins did it right – they nestled the 24 Nest right into one of the green spaces giving it a nice cozy feeling that really made the space.

The layout made everything super convenient with every close by – food, hydration, music, bathrooms, the check-in tables and loot of course.

Parking – OMG – Parking!  Parking is at a premium in Baltimore and Johns Hopkins made their parking garage available to the participants. The parking garage is essentially right under the green space we were nesting upon and it was sooo convenient.

If that wasn’t enough Johns Hopkins students were volunteering at the event and were on-hand to unload cars and get your gear to the 24 Nest. Talk about service with a smile. 

In summary 24 Hr booty is a great family event that anyone can enjoy.  We’re already gaming out our plan of attack for next year – more people, more money, better tent set-up with more things to do in our non-riding time.  We can even set up activities at the Varen Techology tent for anyone who would prefer to relax and socialize. (cornhole, ladder game, etc).

Hope to see you guys at next years event

Riding Bikes & Fighting Cancer

For the 3rd consecutive year my company, Varen Technology, sponsored a team in support of the 24 Foundation.  Each year the team gets a little bigger and we raise a little bit more money doing our part to support the fight against cancer.

Cancer is equal opportunity in that it doesn’t care who you are, how much you make, what your title is, or anything. Cancer just doesn’t care about any of that. Cancer is a vicious disease that devastates people and their family and friends.

Now as bad as cancer is – navigating the craziness that is insurance and the health care system is pretty damn bad also. Now imagine you’re dealing with all this and you’re a kid...or you’re the parent of a child with cancer. Talk about a gut punch…

That’s why the monies raised in the 24 Foundation Baltimore go to support The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and the LIVESTRONG Foundation; helping you navigate through the ordeal that is cancer and then helping you pick up the pieces and live your life after cancer.



After cancer? The quarterly check-ups? The twice a year check-ups? The annual check-ups? See it really never ends – it’s always there…tingling in the back your mind.

That’s why my company helps me support the 24 Foundation and cancer patients and survivors. We’ve all been touched by cancer in one-way or another.

Still with me?  I’m sure you’re thinking ‘Bummer dude – you’re really bringing me down.’

24 Foundation Baltimore, 24 Hours of Booty – it’s really 24 Hours of Fun, Friendship, Family, Hanging out and Riding bikes with great people.

The 24 Hour event is family friendly and geared to all levels of people that ride bikes – see I didn’t say cyclist – I said people that ride bikes. Cause we’re all people now matter how we choose to travel.

 Family Friendly? Bouncing stuff – food, drinks, music. 24 Nest has all that and more.

So next year come out to the 24 Foundation Baltimore event, pull up a chair and ride around in circles with us as we raise money to help those people that are fighting cancer, have fought cancer and sadly will fight cancer in the future.

Where Do You Park Your Whip?!

You finally decide to bite the bullet and start riding your bicycle for local errands!  Huzzah!

So you hop on your trusty bike and take off. The winds blowing through your hair, the sun is shining and you are feeling FAB-U-LOUS! Heck, you even think you look MA-VA-LOUS! (That is fabulous and marvelous for you dull folks)

Now you roll up to your first destination and look around for a place to park and lock your trusty two-wheeled friend - we shan't talk about those one wheeled or three-wheeled heathens here :) - and what do you see? Nothing, Nada, Zip! No bicycle racks!  Your choices are leaning your ride against the building or locking it to a signpost, a tree or some other immovable object.

Note to self - that big ole' pick-up truck ain't immovable and the driver will get testy when she comes out and finds your bike locked to the door handle. Move it along, nothing to see here.

So now, you're jammed - no good place to park. You've got dollars burning your pocket and you're jonesing for a Twinkie. What to do? what to do?

Well, if you’re like me…you’ll go rogue and lock your bike to the mobility scooter, run in and grab your stuff and get out before anyone notices. Then you'll go on your way and forget all about it until you need that next Twinkie fix.

What should you do? Why do something about it of course. If it is a big chain store, send a nicely worded email to the Corporate HQ and store manager and ask them to install a bike rack for their customers. It's a locally owned

Bikes, Boats and Maybe Beer

Riding your bike doesn’t need to be all about racing, shedding weight or even wearing lycra and getting all sparkly -- that sweaty for less classy peeples.

Riding your bike can be all about an adventure.  Noooo, I’m not talking about riding in the woods and hugging trees…or crashing into them. Which is usually frowned upon by one’s spousal unit. I’m talking about a destination ride. Riding your bike to see the country-side and checking out places at relaxed place.

Last year, my wife and I took a ride over on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Awesome ride that makes a perfect day trip or even a nice weekend getaway….and you get to ride on a Ferry! 

Bikes & Boats – can life get any better?  Wait, add beer!  Bikes, Boats & Beer! Yes it can.

Anyway, the Eastern Shore of Maryland is probably one of the best places to ride in Maryland with beautiful scenery, super wide shoulders, and wildlife. 

This is a perfect weekend getaway area with great cycling and plenty to keep you entertained for the weekend. St. Michaels has some wonderful B&B's and restaurants to feed your hunger after a great day of riding.

Be sure to check out the Oxford Bellevue Ferry while you are there. The Oxford Bellevue Ferry, believed to be the nation's oldest privately operated ferry service, crosses the Tred Avon River between Oxford, Maryland and Bellevue, Maryland. You’ll definitely want to check their website before you go because the ferry doesn’t operate year round - the ferry runs seven days a week from April to *November (*Nov-Saturday-Sunday ONLY)

If you don't want to spend your entire time riding there are plenty of other activities close by such as golf and sailing…but seriously, golf when you've bikes, boats and beer?

You’ll find the Bishop’s House B&B route cue-sheet and route mapping over on RidewithGPS.
This route takes you through the quaint historic town of Oxford; across the Tred Avon River on the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry; through the village of Royal Oak on to St. Michaels, the home of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and back across Oak Creek to Easton.

Ride Description: Beginning in Easton, Cycling to Oxford & St. Michaels, Returning to Easton - 35.4 Miles